America Anonymous

Is That Tiger In The Telephoto?

As a matter of medical ethics, the facility won't say.

As founding principle of an whole array of "12 Step" programs, fellow participants aren't supposed to either.

But the National Enquirer has been known to wave around big wads of cash... A tempting proposition for people already struggling with life's temptations.

Amid reports that Tiger Woods has entered a rehab center for sex addiction, author Benoit Denizet-Lewis, a journalist and recovering sex addict, questions whether Anonymity, the second A in AA, only camouflages the extent of addictions as a public health problem.

In his book, “America Anonymous: Eight Addicts in Search of a Life,” now out in paperback, Denizet-Lewis profiled eight people who are addicted to everything from crack to crackers. Jody Pegram was one of the addicts in Denizet-Lewis’ book, and now in recovery serves as executive director of A Sober Way Home in Prescott, Arizona... Living the 12th step: sharing recovery with others.

Audio: BBC, PRI & WBUR's Here & Now. Host: Robin Young.